GKHS is pleased to announce that the Danny Pierce exhibit will be extended until October 5th, 2019. If you have not had a chance to visit the museum, please stop by to see the work of Kent’s local genius. Viewing hours are Noon until 4pm, Wednesday through Saturday. Exhibit design by Stephen Chandler. Shown here in the photo are myself and our very special guest, Julia Pierce the daughter of Danny Pierce.

Come and visit our new sign! Wed-Sat 12-4pm.

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The name Fenwick comes from a lake in Washington State. As the young company searched for a site to build its innovative new rods they found an unused double garage at a friend’s home on Lake Fenwick near Kent. It was 1952 in Kent, Washington that a group of five Seattle businessmen and avid flyfishermen formed a fishing rod company using the new fiberglass blanks that were becoming available at the time.

For over 50 years, the Fenwick name has been a legend among fishermen all over the world. The company’s fascinating history dates back to the Pacific Northwest in the late 40’s where men returning from the “big war” had only one thing on their minds: to get back to the sport of fishing they so loved. Washington State would become the spawning ground where names like Don Green, Clarence Shoff, Lamiglas and Fenwick would write the first chapters of the history of the modern fishing rod.

This book chronicles local pioneer Ezra Meeker’s experiences during the Klondike Gold Rush. He started a business in the Yukon that provisioned the miners with tons of canned goods and fresh vegetables grown and processed in the Green/White River Valley-and even today, you will find the Meeker name attached to local schools, streets and buildings.

Read Slick as a Mitten in advance, then come to the Museum to join the discussion about how that get-rich-quick period in the Far North influenced development in our area. Following the book talk, join us on a walking tour of historical downtown Kent, where you’ll see several buildings constructed with funds gained during the Klondike Gold Rush. Wear good walking shoes and come dressed for the weather. This is a two-hour program.

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Gone Fishin’! You’ll be hooked by our exhibit: History of the Fenwick Fishing Pole. You’ll be reeled in by our fishing artifacts. You’ll explore the early Kent, WA company, Fenwick, which is known for their high-quality fishing poles. Cast your ticket in our raffle for a chance to win a Fenwick trout salmon fishing pole! Dive into the Fenwick history for our opening date April 6th at the Kent Museum, 855. E. Smith St., Kent, WA, 98030. Open Wed-Sat 12-4pm.

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We need your help!
We are creating The History of the Fishing Pole Exhibit here at The Greater Kent Historical Museum.
If you have anything related to Fenwick, fishing items, or Shoff’s Sporting Goods items, we would be grateful for your loan!
Email us at: kenthistoricalmuseum@gmail.com
Give us a call at: 253-854-4330

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Kent Historical Museum installs 129-year old church bell

Story by Michelle Gehlman-Teeter
Photos by Tom Worrell

The Greater Kent Historical Society and Museum recently procured a big old church bell, and they needed a place to display it properly.

The First Presbyterian Church of Kent donated their 129-year old bell to the museum, when they closed their doors in 2017. The church had been a part of the Kent faith community since 1889, the building on Smith Hill being built in 1962. Unfortunately, their membership had dwindled and the building had aged to the point that it was too expensive to maintain so they made the difficult decision to close their doors. The historic church bell, some memorabilia, all of their folding chairs, and a portrait of one of their pastors were donated to the Kent History Museum.

It took five men to move the bell into the museum’s storage until a proper installation could be built. After several estimates that were out of reach of the small non-profit, Kent’s own C & G Construction Services, Inc. offered to donate their time and materials to build the outdoor installation.

View the original here: http://www.ilovekent.net/2019/01/07/kent-historical-museum-installs-129-year-old-church-bell/?fbclid=IwAR3JCNAyJdWOBmIx4_VJcUfZBcw72QYeWmRtvx_cNQ_oFlSllYSuACnIWr0

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The Greater Kent Historical Society (GKHS) is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization in the state of Washington that promotes the discovery, preservation and dissemination of knowledge about the history of the greater Kent area.